PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received heartfelt gratitude from 1,490 Nigerian returnees evacuated from South Africa, who praised the President for fully funding their repatriation and rehabilitation costs.
The returnees, speaking through a statement issued to journalists by the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols at the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mr. Abdurahman Balogun, also expressed appreciation to all federal agencies and philanthropists who supported them throughout the process.
Governors Step Forward with Generous Support
The evacuation, which commenced on June 11 and concluded on July 15, saw 305 Nigerians return aboard Air Peace airline in the final batch.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State made an immediate impact by donating ₦1 million to each returnee from his state. Similarly, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State received returnees at the Government House and promised a support package of ₦1 million each as a first instalment.
Delta, Anambra, Abia, Enugu and Lagos States have also reached out to identify and assist their respective returnees. The NiDCOM boss urged other states—including Bayelsa, Rivers, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers, Ebonyi, Kogi, Ondo and Osun—to follow suit and extend support to their citizens.
Corporate and Religious Organisations Lend a Hand
NiDCOM Chairperson, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, also thanked a host of private donors and organisations for their remarkable generosity.
Apostle Dr. Chibuzor Gift Chinwe of Omega Power Ministries offered free accommodation to 57 returnee families at the OPM Headquarters in Port Harcourt, which includes skills acquisition programmes and free education up to university level for all the children of the families.
MTN Nigeria provided free SIM packs with data worth ₦50,000, alongside ₦100,000 cash to each returnee, while the JAAL Foundation extended empowerment support to 50 female returnees.
Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters Church gave ₦100,000 each to 66 returnees, Cruxstone Real Estate provided cash support for the first set of returnees, and the Oyakhilome Foundation supplied food baskets worth ₦30,000 each to the final batch.
Government Agencies and Diplomatic Staff Praised
Dabiri-Erewa acknowledged the efforts of federal agencies including NEMA, FAAN, NIMC, the Refugees Commission, and the Nigerian Immigration Service, who worked tirelessly to ensure a comfortable return journey for the stranded compatriots.
Special recognition was given to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Acting Ambassador in South Africa, Ambassador Temitope Alexander-Ajayi, and Consul-General Ambassador Ninikanwa Okey-Uche for their diplomatic efforts.
A Call for Continued Support
In her closing remarks, Dabiri-Erewa reiterated her appeal to governors, private individuals and corporate organisations to extend kind gestures to the returnees, many of whom face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives after their ordeals in South Africa.
The evacuation operation, which spanned over a month, marks one of the largest repatriation efforts undertaken by the Nigerian government in recent years. The returnees, many of whom had been living in difficult circumstances, have now been reintegrated into their home states, with support mechanisms being put in place to aid their resettlement.
